East of the Town of North Berwick is the estate of Seacliff, during the winter months you will see an old ruin through the trees above the secluded beach...
Pic from Microlight flight in spring 2012...
The original Seacliff House was built in 1750 by a Robert Colt.
It was later bought by George Sligo who in 1841 employed the famous Scottish architect David Bryce to build a new house in baronial style on the core of the older house.
In 1907 it was gutted by fire, taking the life of the then owner Andrew Laidlay,
He is buried in nearby Whitekirk Church yard....
During WW1 The Royal Navy established a top-secret research base there.
The station, known as HMS Scottish Seacliff, was mainly used for navigation training and U-Boat defence.
The exterior now survives almost complete with gables, turrets and bartizans.
Slowly Nature is taking back the ruin as the woods and ivy encroach it every year,
It once must have been an impressive house with its views out to sea above the secluded sandy cove with Harbour, and across to Tantallon castle and the Bass Rock...
Please respect the Landowners privacy who live nearby if visiting...
If you enjoyed this post and are interested in other stuff around Seacliff you may be interested in;
URBEX; Gin Head - Secret Radar Testing Faciity
Seacliff`s own Whisky Galore Story...
SS Poderosa Wreck, Old Coastgurd station , Peffersands nr Seacliff
Other Articles...
URBEX; Hungry House - Gosford
Ruins of Peaston...
A Lost Coast Road and Crossing...
Post Office Security
HMS Ludlow Wreck - Yellowcraig
WW2 XT Submarine Wrecks - Aberlady Bay
An old Spoon with a Story...
Saltcoats Castle - Gullane
Anthrax Island...
WW2 Critical Foundations
Friday 20 January 2012
The Ruins of Seacliff House...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Some great images here of a wonderful building.....
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of photographic subject that I really enjoy.... mind you I would have probably tackled it in B&W Infrared..
-Trevor
Very cool !
ReplyDeleteBrilliant stuff. I am currently researching the lost villages of Auldhame and Scoughall and, of course Seacliff comes in to play. Are you able to share any info which may help?
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, great stuff. wonderful photos of Seacliff House.
James Denham